Congratulations, you want to learn to play the guitar! Now you need to decide if you want to learn on an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. Today we will briefly explain what the differences are between the two.
Which One is Easier to Play?
First of all, which one guitar is more exciting to you? The easiest one to learn is the one you are excited to play! If you like folk, country or bluegrass music you would probably prefer an acoustic. If you are more drawn to hard rock music you might prefer an electric.
Furthermore, it is important to see which kind will be physically easier for you. Electric guitars are generally easier to play, especially for beginners. They allow you to move your hand around more easily and with less fatigue. The strings are thinner and not as tough to push down. Acoustic guitars have heavier gauge strings, which require slightly firmer picking and fingering.
Which One is Less Expensive?
Another thing to consider is price. Working within the parameters of your budget will ensure successful learning. While you can get some fairly cheap electric guitars, acoustic are generally a bit more affordable. There are exceptions to this but overall, you will find that acoustic has a lower barrier to entry. You just need the instrument, strings, a guitar tuner, a strap and perhaps a pick. With an electric, you need all of those things but also an amplifier and a cable.
Which One Sounds Better?
It is personal preference as to which kind of guitar sounds “better”. However, you might want to listen to both guitars to determine which one you prefer.
There are some notable differences on how the sound is created in both guitars.
Acoustic Guitar
When the strings of an acoustic guitar vibrate, they also vibrate the soundboard, which is a wooden piece on the front that magnifies the sound. The tension of the strings can be changed with tuning heads, and by pressing your fingers between the frets. When plucked, these strings produce different sounds.
Electric Guitar
Electric guitars also use tuning pegs and frets to change the tension of strings and so change the sound. However, while an acoustic’s strings send vibrations to a soundboard, which produces the sound, the metal strings of an electric interact with the magnetic pickups (a set of six magnets wrapped in copper wire) on the guitar, causing them to produce a current. This current is passed through a preamplifier, which reduces noise and interference and adds power, and the current is then sent through digital processors to amplify it, before passing through the speakers.
In summary, electric guitars require amplifiers to produce sound effectively, while acoustic guitars rely on their innate hollow design and sound hole to produce sound.
Here at the Omaha School of Music and Dance we have teachers who are skilled in teaching both acoustic and electric guitars. We would also love to chat with you at (402) 515-9639.
